Large Scale 3D Printing?!

[Donnell Wells]

As if I needed another scale to model in...

I recently purchased a FlashForge Adventurer 5M printer as an entry point into FDM printing. I bought it with the intention of using it to facilitate my entry into modeling large scale 1:29 and possibly 1:32 scale trains.
Here is a test print of a 1:29 scale EMD 88” short hood in Eryone Matte PLA Navy Blue filament. I oriented the design so that it would print vertically, and set the layer height to .1mm. I printed a second piece that will be glued to the rear of the nose to help it align with the cab once I get that designed and printed. There are openings printed in place for resin 3D printed details to be inserted later. The print nozzle sports a .4mm opening and produces really smooth prints. FlashForge offers a .25mm nozzle that I would like to try at some point to see if it makes any noticeable difference.

Printer: FlashForge Adventurer 5M
Filament: Eryone Matte Navy Blue
Layer height: .1mm
Wall thickness: 5mm
Print time: just over 4 hours
Print speed: 150-300mm/s
CAD software: Onshape
Slicer software: Orca

Donnell

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

No post print sanding or such?

Nice looking print. Much better than my SeeMe Rostok V3, much.

[Donnell Wells]

Oh yeah, the quality is good for large scale, but not quite resin quality. I will have to do some minor priming and sanding. All of the doors, windows, and other details will be printed it resin and superglued or epoxied to the shell. At least that’s the plan for now. I’m trying to take a practical approach at designing this project, hence starting with the short hood. Once the details of the short hood are worked out, then I’ll move on to the cab, sub-base, clean air compartment , long hood, etc.

On a side note, I figure that with all of the USA Trains GP38-2s and SD40-2s, as well as the Bachmann GP40 and Aristocraft SD45 that are already in the hands of many modelers, that others can take advantage of customizing their model with a road-specific nose options. I just need to work out all of the design issue with FDM printing as the basis for this endeavor.

[stevef45]

I might be interested in some G scale stuff... Possibly. Had someone ask ne about building them a kitbashed nj transit engine in g scale.

[Donnell Wells]

Aug 4, 2024 10:40:48 GMT -8 stevef45 said:

I might be interested in some G scale stuff... Possibly. Had someone ask ne about building them a kitbashed nj transit engine in g scale.

Hi Steve, which model are they interested in building? I've seen a lot of good builds on some of the dedicated large scale forums.

[stevef45]

A friend of mine posted his models of nj transit builds I did for him and had some asking to build him a g scale gp40ph-2b. I am very intrigued by this possibility or even o scale. I told him if he was serious the minimum models I'd probably need. Detail parts I think will be my issue, possibly nose, since these run 81" noses not 88". But we'll see. Haven't heard from him.